Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese

  • Prep 30 min
  • Total 45 min
  • Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 package (1 lb) small pasta shells
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 3 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (12 oz)
  • 4 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled
  • 2 plum (Roma) tomatoes, thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen potato nuggets
  • Shredded or grated Parmesan cheese, if desired

Steps

  • 1
    Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. In Dutch oven or 3-quart saucepan, cook and drain pasta as directed on package, using minimum cook time; return to Dutch oven.
  • 2
    Meanwhile, in large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender and beef is thoroughly cooked. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Remove from heat; stir in ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Cover to keep warm.
  • 3
    In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour with whisk. Gradually add milk. Heat to simmering; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in Cheddar cheese and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pour cheese sauce over pasta in Dutch oven; stir to coat.
  • 4
    Spoon pasta mixture into casserole. Top with beef mixture; sprinkle with bacon. Arrange tomatoes and potato nuggets on top.
  • 5
    Bake uncovered 15 minutes or until potatoes are crisp. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

  • Save time by using your favorite boxed macaroni and cheese instead of cooking the pasta and making the homemade cheese sauce.
  • Substitute ground turkey for the beef and use whole wheat pasta to “healthify” this dish.

Nutrition Facts are not available for this recipe
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